History, to Read or Not to Read?

If there were one subject that didn’t add any meaning to my student life, it would have to be history. Studying history has to be one of the most mundane brainwork that I have ever encountered: Memorizing dates, events, places etc. The worst part was, my teacher didn’t tell me why it was important to learn about History; and in Singapore where I did my O-Levels, there wasn’t much depth introduced apart from WW1, WW2 and how Raffles City came about.

Recently, I discovered someone in the bible who shared my sentiment. His name is King Belshazzar (or King Bel for short). His grandfather King Nebuchanzzer had established Babylon to be the strongest nation of his time and during King Ned’s reign, God had spoken and revealed Himself to the royal family, to the extent that King Ned proclaimed Him to his entire kingdom (in my blog What Is It Gonna Take?)

Now, meet King Bel who was throwing a royal banquet for his dignitaries, wives and concubines. His intention for this party was to scorn his enemies and despise God! Outside the city wall, the enemies’ troops were gathering for the imminent attack on the seemingly impenetrable city. High on spirit, King Bel ordered for sacred gold and silver cups, which were used by the Israelites in the temple for offerings, to be filled with wine and served to his guests. While they were happily praising the gods of gold and silver, a dismembered hand started to scribble on a wall. King Bel was initially too drunk to stand; now, he was probably too frightened to be able to stand. God’s judgment on King Bel had come and without giving him seven years to repent like King Ned, King Bel’s kingdom fell on the very night.

When I read about King Bel, I couldn’t understand why he didn’t take time to learn from his grandfather. After all, there must be people, books or even letters written to tell King Bel of God’s sovereignty, which should not be tampered with. Whatever the reason might be, he chose to reject God despite all that He had done. Babylon was a fortified city with high walls all around, very much like the Great Wall of China, only higher and wider! Yet at that very night, the city fell.

History was meant to forewarn and teach us so that we will not make the same mistake as our forefathers did.